Fitting



Oct. 24, 1950 E c C'RlPE 2,526,937

FITTING Filed May 11, 1949 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 24, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FITTING v Earnest C.Gripe, Goshen, Ind.

Application May 11, 1949, Serial N 0. 92,639

2 Claims.

This invention has reference to a fitting for providing connectionsbetween copper and aluminum cables, rods, and the like.

By way of background, it may be noted that it has been a problem of longstanding to provide a fitting between the metals indicated that willeliminate corrosive action therebetween. This problem has confrontedsuch manufacturersas thoseengaged, for example, in the production oflightning rods. The problem has additionally been recognized by utilitycompanies and in other fields in which connection of the type indicatedmust be made.

Heretofore, solder-sealed joints have been used almost exclusively forthe purpose of making connections between copper and aluminum cables,both by utility companies as mentioned and by lightning rodmanufacturers. However, it has been found that a soldered connection hasnot been entirely satisfactory, since it does not produce ajoint whichis positively moisture sealed so as to eliminate the corrosive actionnormally tending to occur between the two metals.

It is a mainobject of the present invention, accordingly, to provideafitting for connecting aluminum and copper members which will beentirely moisture sealed, so as to eliminate entirely the corrosiveaction between said metals.

It is a further important object to provide a fitting of the characterdescribed which will nevertheless provide a full and complete conductiveaction between the joined members.

Another important object is to provide a fitting as described that willnot be expensive, but which will nevertheless be of great strength.

Another important object is to provide a fitting of the type statedwhich will be applicable not only to the making of connections inlightning rod assemblies, but also to other electrical connections asWell.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a fitting as formed in accordance with theinvention.

Figure 2 is a view therethrough partly in elevation and partly inlongitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevation of another form of fitting.

Figure 6 is an end elevation Of the fitting of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 designates a copper member oneend of which is solidly formed and the other end of which is formed withthe socket or bore 6 receiving the steel ground bar I, said bar beingclamped tightly within the member, as by providing a boss on said memberthreaded as at 8 receiving the set screw 9.

On the solid end of the copper member 5 I provide the reduced extensioncomprising the cylindrical tail piece Ill having intermediate its endsthe circumferential groove II. This is integrally cast upon the coppermember, and by is'formedwith the channel [4 extending inwardly from oneend, over which extend the oppositely directed and alternating fingersor tongues l5 adapted to hold in the channel the cable l6. It will beunderstood that spurs or the like can be formed integrally in the innersurface of the channel to impart a better grip upon the cable I6.

The other end of the aluminum member I3 is solidly formed as at IT andat this time, it may be noted that the copper and aluminum members arejoined as follows. Assuming that the copper member has been formed tothe shape described and illustrated, the aluminum fitting is provided bypouring molten aluminum over said copper or bronze fitting having thegrooved tail piece I0. As a result, the two metals knit together,forming the sealed Water-tight splice or joint. Thus, the aluminummember, in molten state, flows against the shoulder l2, and against allsurfaces of the tail piece l0, including the side walls and end wall ofsaid tail piece, and including also the walls of the circumferentialgroove II. The aluminum member thus is provided by this operation withan annular tongue complementary to the groove 1 I, and a cylindricalsocket complementary to the cylindrical tail piece I0, as Well as with ashoulder abutting against the shoulder l2. The metals, of course, becomein a sense a single integral fitting, fully moisture sealed, fullyconductive, and of reat strength.

Alternatively, the aluminum member might be the member first formed, andin this event, said aluminum member would be formed with a socket havingan inwardly extended annular tongue. In this alternative method, thecopper or bronze member 5 would be in a molten state, and would bepoured into said tongued socket to provide a fitting as desired and asillustrated in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there has been here illustratedanother form of fitting, this being specially formed for use as aT-connector. In this form of the invention, I provide the copper member18 having one end formed solidly and with a tail piece as in theprevious form of the invention. For the greatest part of the length ofsaid member I8, said member is formed with staggered and oppositelyextended tongues or fingers l9, adapted to extend over the channel 20formed in said member for receiving a cable, not shown.

The aluminum member is designated 2|, and is provided with the header orcross member 22, having along one side the tongues 23, while a pair oftongues 24 are disposed on the sides of the central or solid portion ofsaid member. Reinforcing webs or gussets 25 are provided, and the crossmember 22 is provided with the channel 26 for receiving a cable, notshown, said cable being more tightly retained in said channel by theprovision of transverse ribs 21, the channel 25 of the copper transverseribs 28 for its cable.

It will be: understood that the actual joint or splice between thealuminum and cable members illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is the same asthat shown in the first form of the invention.

I have found, by extensive tests, that particularly in lightning rod.assemblies, a fitting as illustratcd and described represents a greatimprovement over previous practices. For example, aluminum cable oraluminum rods have not proven satisfactory for use in the groundbecauseof alkaline conditions, thus making it necessary on all aluminumlightning conductor systems to switch over to a satisfactory groundmetal and an approved clamp or connector is required for member beingprovided with similar;

this connection; I have found that the connector formed as illustratedand described above is admirably suited to meet these particularconditions.

It will be understood that although I have shown the connection ofFigures 1 and 2 as havig a socket at one end for securing a ground bar1, and at the other end for receiving a cable IE, it is neverthelesspossible to make a connector with cable-engaging fingers at both ends.In such case, the same principle of connection between the copper andaluminum components would still be used, of course.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fitting, a copper member including at one end means forreceiving a conductive element, a circumferentially grooved tail pieceon the other end of said member, an aluminum member including at one enda cable receiving channel, and the other end of said aluminum memberbeing cast over the tail piece.

2. A lightning rod fitting including a copper member having at one end ameans for clamping a conductive element to said member, areduced andcircumferentially grooved cylindrical tail piece cast on the other endof said member, an aluminum member having at one end a cable receivingchannel, oppositely extended tongues formed on the aluminum member andextending over the channel to grip a cable held therein, the other endof said aluminum member beingformed solidly and being cast over the tailpiece.

EARNEST C. CRIPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,020,826 Johnson Mar. 1-9, 19121,115,790 Drevitson Nov. 3, 1914 1,169,642 Heeter et al. Jan. 25,19161,994,916 McCafierty' Mar. 19, 1935 2,191,607 Chamberlain et al. Feb.'27, 1940

